'Tackling contamination is a priority'

Aseem Gupta, the additional municipal commissioner in charge of the Hydraulic Department, said water contamination was a serious concern. However, he said, Mumbai's complex water distribution network makes his officials' job a tough one.

mumbaiUpdated: Dec 17, 2010 02:20 IST

Bhavika Jain Hindustan Times

Aseem Gupta, the additional municipal commissioner in charge of the Hydraulic Department, said water contamination was a serious concern. However, he said, Mumbai's complex water distribution network makes his officials' job a tough one.

Hindustan Times collected 10 water samples from across the city and tested them in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) lab. Six of them were found to be unfit for drinking. We are concerned and are trying to address contamination-related complaints on a priority basis. The BMC also collects samples from across the city once a month and tests them. We also undertake corrective measures.

Does the BMC have a plan to curb contamination given that the water pipes are old and leaking? Firstly, we would like to see the contamination report. After that, I will instruct our officials to examine the source of contamination. We will also go back to our quarterly reports, try to find the source, rectify the problem and monitor it for few days.

According to last year's environment report, the city's water contamination level is 26%. It has doubled. What has the BMC done about it? We are trying to eliminate contamination systematically. In a complex water network like ours, it happens.

Is there any chance that water is contaminated in the reservoirs? No, I don't think so.